A Canton bookstore owner and Kennesaw State University graduate announced Friday night that he plans to run for Canton City Council.

Farris Yawn, a 35-year Canton resident and owner of Yawn’s Books downtown, said in the announcement that he is joining the race for the Ward 3 seat on the City Council, now held by John Beresford. John Rust has already announced his candidacy for the seat.

Yawn said he hopes to join the City Council and help tap Canton’s potential.

“I remember the Canton of my youth as a vibrant, bustling center for business and community functions,” he said. “I believe that with the proper support and leadership it can be so again.”

Yawn said it’s time for a shift in priorities in the council.

“I feel that for too long our council has been preoccupied with pet projects, and we need to change the focus to what is best for the city as a whole,” he said.

Yawn opened his bookstore eight years ago and said he has been active in the community since.

“It has been my honor to serve as president of the Historic Downtown Canton Association, vice president and, currently, as treasurer of the Cherokee Arts Center and as treasurer of the Canton Main Street Board,” he said. “I have also been active with the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, where I serve on the Governmental Affairs committee and am a graduate of Leadership Cherokee.”

Yawn said since moving to Canton, he has been “truly blessed” by the support of his wife, Stacy, and their families and now hopes for the support of the voters to put him in office, where he said will help the city.

“I believe that an elected official first and foremost serves as a representative of their constituents and should be respectful of their wishes when conducting the city’s business,” he said. “Especially in these economic times, they should also be conservative with the funds entrusted to their care.”

Yawn graduated from Cherokee High School and has an accounting degree from Kennesaw State University.

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